It took Bernard Hopkins 17 years to talk Roy Jones, Jr., into a rematch. Since losing to Calzaghe he has won the WBC light heavyweight title. Every time this writer sees Calzaghe’s name in print I hope it’s not Calzaghe falling into the trap to come back.

I’ve read a lot of reasons for Calzaghe’s retirement and for his denial of a comeback. One thing I never read was his respect for fellow Italian heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record. Several fighters have passed 49-0 such as Julio Cesar Chavez at 87-0, Willie Pep 62-0, Nino LaRocca 57-0, Yori Boy Campas 56-0 before they ALL lost their first fight. Ricardo Lopez ended 51-0-1 with a tech draw. Not perfect!

Fighters in the 40’s unbeaten were Larry Holmes and Dariusz Michalczewski both at 48-0, Nikolay Valuev 46-0, and Ricky Hatton 43-0 and Felix Trinidad at 40-0 before ALL were beaten. Today there is the WBO Latino light welter champ from Argentina named Cesar Rene Cuena, 41-0, with a couple of no contests and believe it or not 1 knockout win!

Since Calzaghe’s retirement in his last fight November 8^th, 2008 there have been rumors after rumors of his return to the ring. He claims he laced the gloves on less than a half dozen fights since that time. In June he did pad work with his dad/trainer Enzo. He was at the Mosley-Mayweather press conference in March of 2010 possibly getting away from the UK press after admitting occasional use of Cocaine. In July he was at the Kahn-Judah fight in Las Vegas and had his picture taken with Hopkins.

In October of 2009 this writer had his 49-0 still standing pertaining to Marciano’s record since 1955! Recently it was announced Calzaghe having a “Spend an Evening with Joe Calzaghe Night” on October 8^th, in Nottingham, UK. He has taken acting lessons and may appear in a film next month in the UK. All in all boredom if anything haunts the retired fighters. That is after money and fame out of the limelight.

Besides Hopkins Carl Froch who will be fighting Andre Ward in October for the Super Six Tournament title has called Calzaghe out for years. If he wins it maybe it will lure Calzaghe back. This writer doesn’t see Ward losing. Calzaghe had 21 defenses along with 4 others. They were just 4 short of Joe Louis who had 25.

This writer did a story saying Chavez had 28 in several weight classes that went unchallenged! Either way, Hopkins is about to have his 21^st in his next fight in October. The records held by Marciano and Louis seem sacred in boxing like Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak in baseball. One thing for sure, Calzaghe has never gotten his just dues in the US. The fact he had one fight each in Denmark and Germany before having his final two bouts in the US may be the reason. Let’s hope that Calzaghe’s Italian roots say enough was enough at 46-0! This is one writer who learned to respect Calzaghe’s skills over time as he did Carlos Monzon’s. Now that would be a match-up, Calzaghe vs Monzon!

Tweet

NEW: Follow Doghouse Boxing on FaceBook!
For more Boxing News 24/7 and so much more... 
visit our homepage now!